Joyful Noise: Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Festival of Carols

Can you even imagine Christmas without music? It’s impossible to separate our favorite sounds from the season itself. “From familiar tunes on the radio, the classic carols you may sing at church, not to mention Carolers (is there any other time of year people just ‘show up’ on your door step singing music?!) singing is such a special part of Christmas memories for most of us,” said Eric Stark, artistic director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir.

The work of planning the elaborate performance begins in June. Stark finalizes the final performance list in the fall, always making sure to include songs that will appeal to kids from one to 92. Besides well-loved favorites, the Festival also takes a strong role in creating the next iconic Christmas song.

Many of our best-loved carols are from wealthy patrons, like royalty. Now that we have significantly fewer kings around, cultural institutions like the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir haven taken over this important task. For the past four years, the choir has sponsored the Christmas Carol Commission Competition to encourage today’s composers to write the next great carol.

This year’s winner is penned by Joey Hoelscher. “His setting of the familiar text ‘Still, Still, Still’ is vivid, lyrical and very impressively written,” said Stark.

Besides Hoelscher’s new composition, you’ll hear plenty of classic favorites at the Festival of Carols. Stark himself favors carols from all eras and encompassing both religious and secular themes, like “What Child Is This?” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).”

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir has already performed one sold-out performance, but it’s not too late to get into the Christmas spirit. Additional performances will be held at The Palladium at the Center for Performing Arts in Carmel at 3 and 8 p.m. on December 22. Tickets range from $20-$38 for adults. Click here to reserve your seats, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now.